YouTube has helped Tech target Bates develop

Living in Kaplan, a 4,600-person town in southern Louisiana, has limited the depth of coaching Jalen Bates receives.

He’s been taught to hit opponents, to hustle, to be physical. But he eventually realized he needed to learn complicated technique to play in college.

So the three-star class of 2015 defensive end prospect turned to YouTube for help.

Bates — who lists Texas Tech, Mississippi State and Louisiana-Lafayette as his top three schools — turned to YouTube videos of Jadeveon Clowney and Barkevious Mingo, former stars at South Carolina and LSU, respectively. Studying video of what made those first-round draft picks great, as well as going to camps, has helped him develop as a pass rusher.

“I’ve gotten probably 25 percent better than I was entering the summer,” the 6-foot-4, 240-pound Bates said. “I think I have the speed and size and athleticism. I need to work on my technique. If I have technique, I can do anything.”